Loneliness as dangerous as smoking or obesity

Almost all of us at some point have felt lonely. It is a problem that has been the subject of countless love songs, but for many, especially older people, it can have serious mental and physical health impacts.

According to age concern, there are 50,000 Kiwis aged over 65 who experience severe isolation.

Sufferers are vulnerable to problems like depression, and loneliness can be as damaging to your health as smoking or being overweight. A lonely life lived alone puts older people at risk of physical harm as well.

So how do you stay social in later life and what can the rest of us do to help?